Mankessim (C/R), Sept. 15, GNA - Osagyefo Amanfo Edu IV, Paramount Chief of

Mankessim has appealed to the government to rehabilitate the irrigation system at Baifikrom

near Mankessim, to facilitate all-year-round production of vegetables. He said if the deteriorating facility, constructed in 1978 is rehabilitated, it could boost the

Youth in Agriculture Module of the National Youth Employment Programme. Osagyefo Amanfo Edu made the appeal in an address to climax the annual Akwanbo

Festival of the chiefs and people of Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central

Region. The Omanhen asked the Municipal Assembly to pay a commission on the revenue

collected from the Mankessim market to the traditional council to implement its development

agenda. He said the market, which is being managed by the Assembly through a Legislative

Instrument was built by the chiefs and people. He said the commission would help the traditional council to implement its development

agenda. Osagyefo Amanfo Edu also urged landowners at Mankessim to pay a token of the proceeds

from their sale of land to the traditional council to help the body to execute its programmes. He said modalities to collect proceeds from the sale of land are being worked out and

expressed the hope that the landowners would cooperate with the traditional council when it is

finalised.

Mr Henry Kweku Hayfron, Municipal Chief Executive said the ruling National Democratic

Congress has constructed 33 school buildings within two-and-a half years an= d appealed to

parents to take advantage of the projects by enrolling their children in school. He commended the traditional council for its decision to establish an education endowment

fund to support brilliant but needy children. Mr George Kuntu Blankson, Member of Parliament for Mfantseman East appealed to the

people to rally behind the government to implement more development project= s in the

Municipality. He urged the chiefs to unite, stressing; 93in unity lies strength". Mr Patrick Aniagyei, a Presidential Staffer urged the people to use th= e festival to take stock

of their achievements and to plan for the ensuing year. He advised the youth to refrain from seeing festivals as a period to engage in anti-social

activities such as sexual promiscuity and drinking. Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Member of Parliament and a Deputy Minister of Local

Government and Rural Development assured the chiefs and people that the Baifikrom

Irrigation Dam would be rehabilitated to enable the youth to go into farming. He said the government is considering the construction of vocational an= d technical schools

in every district to train the youth to acquire employable skills.